In 1857, a man named Nahum Ward purchased the island in order to build a horse-rendering plant. (Credit: The Emancipator, New York, New York, Oct. Knowing she could chase but one, I steered a course opposite to the Niagra…Bayonets glistened in all parts of the boat." 4 Unfortunately, the abolitionists followed Hannum's ship instead of the Niagra and were not able to secure George's freedom.Ī newspaper clipping describing a letter written by Capt. Describing the scene Hannum wrote, "No sooner had I left the bark than I discovered a steamer making directly for us. As he transferred George to the Niagara, Hannum realized that abolitionists had acquired a boat and were quickly gaining on his ship. Knowing he had to act quickly, Hannum located the Niagara, a ship bound for New Orleans that would take George back to enslavement. Word of George's story spread quickly among Boston's abolitionist community and they obtained a warrant for Hannum's arrest under the charges of kidnapping. Describing the pursuit first by boat, then on foot, Hannum wrote: "we took off after him, through corn-fields and over fences till finally after a chase of two miles I secured him just as he reached the bridge." 3 Captain Hannum immediately realized what happened and grabbed another boat to give chase. Captain Hannum stopped in one of the island's hotels for a "drop of consolation." While the captain grabbed his drink, George escaped from the guard, stole Hannum's small boat, and took off for South Boston. Following this discovery, the captain of the Ottoman, James Hannum, took George under guard to Spectacle Island. In September 1846, the crew of the Ottoman, a ship from New Orleans, discovered a stowaway named George within Boston Harbor. 2ĭuring the early years of the Underground Railroad, Spectacle Island served an integral role in the story of freedom seeker George's escape from slavery. These hotels were later shut down after a police raid due to illegal gambling. Spectacle Island also housed two hotels for about ten years, between around 18. The hospital operated for 20 years before it was moved to Rainsford Island. Ships coming into Boston known to have smallpox were required to stop at Spectacle to quarantine. The town of Boston opened a smallpox quarantine hospital on Spectacle Island in 1717. With the arrival of European settlers in the 1600s, so too came smallpox. One piece of evidence of this early presence includes shell middens, which are large mounds of discarded shell pieces along with other scraps. Prior to European colonization of the area, Indigenous Peoples primarily used the island seasonally from spring to fall.
Local Indigenous communities have honored and stewarded the island for thousands of years.
Throughout its lifetime, Spectacle Island has served many purposes for many different people. Spectacle Island features five miles worth of trails, panoramic views of the harbor, and a rich history. Located four miles from downtown Boston, Spectacle Island is a true example of trash turned into treasure.
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